System, method and article of manufacture for separating stacked storage containers

ABSTRACT

A system for separating a plurality of storage containers stacked by fitting one within another includes a plurality of U-shaped devices installed onto a peripheral rim of each storage container and forming a peripheral side gap between an exterior surface of the tapered wall of the upper storage container and the interior surface of the tapered wall of the lower storage container with the gap being sufficient to separate the storage containers with minimal force and effort. Each device includes a first leg, a second leg spaced from the first leg, and a hill portion joining adjacently disposed ends of the first and second leg and sized to operably receive the portion of the peripheral rim.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/864,002 filed on Nov. 2, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to storage containers and,more particularly, this invention relates to system, method and articleof manufacture for separating stacked storage containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is generally well known, storage containers and, particularly suchstorage containers as 2.5 or 5.0 gallon buckets characterized by acircular base and a continuous wall extending outwardly from the baseand forming a rim, are employed by painters, mechanics, hobbyists andmany others in both professional and home environments. When empty, suchcontainers are often stacked, in a vertical direction, by inserting onecontainer into another. While such storage method minimizes the floorspace foot print required to store and transport multiple storagecontainers, difficulties arise in removing an individual storagecontainer from the stack, particularly, from its lower portion. Whenstored, each storage container fits tightly into an interior chamber ofan adjacent downwardly disposed container causing a significant surfacecontact therebetween and is forced downwardly by the weight of otherupwardly disposed storage containers. Thus, the user must apply agreater than desired effort and force to overcome friction formed bysuch tight fit in order to remove each storage container from the stack.

Therefore, there is for a way of separating stacked storage containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a one aspect, the invention provides a one-piece device forseparating a pair of storage containers stacked vertically by fittingone within another. Each storage container has a narrow lower closedend, a continuous tapered wall extending outwardly therefrom andterminating in a wide upper open end having a peripheral rim formedthereon. The device includes a first straight leg having a first end andan opposed second end. The first leg abuts an interior surface of thetapered wall of the storage container when the device is installed forseparating the pair of storage containers. A second leg is provided andhas a first end and an opposed second end. A heel portion joins thefirst ends of the first leg and the second leg and positions the secondleg at a predetermined distance from the first leg sufficient tooperably receive the rim of the storage container. The device forms aperipheral side gap between an exterior surface of the tapered wall ofthe upper storage container and the interior surface of the tapered wallof the lower storage container. Such gap enables ease of separating theupper storage container from the lower storage container with minimalforce and effort.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a systemfor separating a plurality of storage containers stacked by fitting onewithin another. Each storage container has a narrow lower closed end, acontinuous tapered wall extending outwardly therefrom and terminating ina wide upper open end having a peripheral rim formed thereon. The systemincludes a plurality of devices installed onto the peripheral rim ofeach storage container and forming a peripheral side gap between anexterior surface of the tapered wall of the upper storage container andthe interior surface of the tapered wall of the lower storage container.The gap is sufficient to separate the storage containers with minimalforce and effort.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a method ofstoring a plurality of stacked storage containers each having a narrowlower closed end, a continuous tapered wall extending outwardlytherefrom and terminating in a wide upper open end having a peripheralrim formed thereon. The method includes the step of providing aplurality of devices having a first leg, a second leg spaced from thefirst leg, and a hill portion joining the first and second leg at oneend thereof. Then, installing the plurality of devices onto the rim ofthe each storage container. Next, fitting one storage container withinanother storage container. Finally, forming a stack of the storagecontainers having wall portions thereof separated by the devices.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a system for separating stacked storage containers, wherein eachstorage container is fitted within the other.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system forseparating stacked storage containers that reduce the requiredseparating force and effort.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system forseparating stacked storage containers that minimizes the height of thestack.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an article ofmanufacture for separating stacked storage containers that is simple toinstall and remove.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an articleof manufacture for separating stacked storage containers that iseconomical to manufacture.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method ofstoring storage containers in a vertical stack by using the devices forseparating a pair of adjacently disposed storage containers.

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the presentinvention which have been described with some degree of specificityabove, various other objects and advantages of the invention will becomemore readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevantart, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction withthe attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for separating a pair ofstorage containers;

FIG. 2 is an environmental view of the device of FIG. 1 installed on arim of such storage container;

FIG. 3 is an environmental view of a system for separating a pair ofstorage containers and employing the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial elevation cross-sectional view along lines 4-4 ofFIG. 3, particularly illustrating a peripheral side gap formed between apair of stacked storage containers due to installation of the device ofFIG. 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the presentinvention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity andunderstanding, identical components which have identical functions havebeen identified with identical reference numerals throughout the severalviews illustrated in the drawing figures.

The present invention overcomes the difficulties in separating storagecontainers by providing a resilient U-shaped device which is installedonto a rim of the storage container and forms a gap between a pair ofstacked containers.

Now in reference to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a system, generallydesignated as 10, for separating a plurality of storage containers,generally designated as 20, stacked by fitting one within another. Eachstorage container 20 is defined by a narrow lower closed end 22, acontinuous tapered wall 24 extending outwardly from the narrow lower end22 and terminating in a wide upper open end 26 having a peripheral rim28 of a predetermined width 29 a and a predetermined height 29 b formedtherein. Although, the storage container 20 is illustrated in FIGS. 2-3as having a circular cross-section, it will be understood that thepresent invention applies to storage containers having oval,rectangular, square or other cross-sections.

By way of example only in FIGS. 2-3, the system 10 will be illustratedin separating a pair of identical storage containers 20 and 20′, whereinthe storage container 20 is illustrated as being a lower storagecontainer and storage container 20′ is illustrated as being an upperstorage container fitted into such lower storage container 20.

In the exemplary embodiment, the system 10 includes a plurality ofdevices, generally designated as 40, which are installed onto the rim 28of the lower storage container 20 and forming a vertical gap 30 betweenthe rims 28, 28′ of adjacently disposed storage containers andalternatively to or in combination with the vertical gap 30, dependingon the type and construction of the storage container, forming aperipheral side gap 32 between the opposed exterior and interior wallsurfaces of such storage containers 20, 20′. The gaps 30 and 32 aresufficient to separate the storage containers with minimal force andeffort.

Now in a particular reference to FIG. 1, the device 40 includes a first,preferably straight, leg 50 having each of a predetermined length, apredetermined width and a predetermined thickness. The first leg 50 hasa first end 52 and an opposed second end 54. The first leg 50 abuts aninterior surface of the tapered wall 24 of the storage container 20 whenthe device 40 is installed for separating the pair of storage containers20, 20′. There is a second leg 60 which has each of a predeterminedlength, a predetermined width and a predetermined thickness. The secondleg 60 also has a first end 62 and an opposed second end 64. The secondleg 60 may have a curved or straight shape. A heel portion 70 joins thefirst ends 52, 62 of the first leg 50 and the second leg 60 respectivelyto form a generally J-shape configuration of the device 10 having aclosed end 42 and an open end 44. The hill portion 70 also spaces thesecond leg 60 at a predetermined distance 72 from the first leg 50sufficient to operably receive and encase the rim 28 of the upper end 26of the lower storage container 20.

It is further within the scope of the present invention to form thedevice 40 from a resilient material and to adapt the second leg 60 witha generally V-shaped retaining portion 66 disposed at the second end 64thereof and formed inwardly in a direction toward the first leg 50 forpositively retaining the device 40 on the rim 28 of the storagecontainer 20. The presence of the retaining portion 66 provides for aU-shape configuration of the device 40.

To facilitate separation of a pair of stacked storage containers 20,20′, the user or the person tasked with stacking such storage containerssimply installs a predetermined quantity of the devices 40 onto the rim28 of the lower container 20 in a predetermined pattern by positioningeach device 40 downwardly with the open end 44 thereof in closeproximity to the upper surface of the rim 28 and then moving the device40 downwardly, in a direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, to position theclose end 42 in abutting engagement with the rim 28. When the device 40employs the generally V-shaped retaining portion 66, the user applies aslight force during downward movement of the device 10 causing theretaining concave portion 66 to first move away from the first leg 50upon engaging the rim 28 and then to resiliently return into theoriginal position. Thus, upon installation of the device 40, theretaining concave portion 66 will be positioned under the rim 28 of thecontainer 20 and secure the device 40 thereon.

The upper storage container 20′ is then inserted into the lower storagecontainer 20 in a downward motion. The insertion of the upper storagecontainer 20′ will be terminated when the exterior surface of its wall24′ abuttingly engages the first legs 50 of the devices 40 installedonto the rim 28 of the lower storage container 20. Thus, the verticalgap 30 will be formed between the respective rims 28 and 28′, as bestshown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, as best shown in FIG. 4, a peripheral gap32 will be formed, except for small areas containing the devices 40,between the exterior wall surface of the upper storage container 20′ andinterior wall surface of the lower storage container 20 thus enablingease of removal of the upper storage container 20′ even when anadditional downward movement of such upper storage container 20′ willoccur due to weight of the additional upwardly stacked storagecontainers 20.

It will be understood that at least a pair of devices 40 will besufficient to enable desired separation between a pair of storagecontainers, although it is presently preferred to employ four (4)devices 40 and installed them in a generally equally spaced relationshiponto the peripheral rim of the storage container.

To separate the storage container 20, 20′ the user pulls the uppercontainer 20′ in an upward direction. The user may then remove eachdevice 40 by applying a slight manual force onto the retaining concaveportion 66 in a direction away from the first leg 50 and moving thedevice 40 upwardly to disengage it from the rim 28 of the storagecontainer 20 or the user may decide to leave the devices 40 in installedcondition for further use during stacking. Thus, the generally V-shapedretaining portion 66 also provides grip means to remove the device 40.It would be appreciated that the devices 40 may be removed by the userto cover the open end 26 of the storage container 20 with a conventionallid (not shown) in order to seal the contents (not shown) placed intothe storage container, therefore requiring removal of the device 40.

It will be appreciated that to add additional storage containers 20, theuser installs a predetermined quantity of the devices 40 onto the rim28′ of the upper storage container 20′ which will then become a lowerstorage container 20 for the purposes of above described system andmethod for separating a plurality of stacked storage containers.

Although, the device 40 has been illustrated in various figures as beingformed from flat material, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart the device 40 manufactured from a round material may be adequatelyemployed in providing desired separation between a pair of stackedstorage containers. The presently preferred thickness of the device 40is about 0.13 inches and such thickness is equal throughout the device40.

Equally as well, the device 40 may be manufactured from metallic orplastic materials having resilient characterizes. By way of an exampleonly, such device 40 may be manufactured from spring steel which is wellknown in the art.

It will be also understood that the overall size of the device 40 isdependent on the size of the storage container 20 and, moreparticularly, on the size and shape of its peripheral rim 28. Thus, thehill portion 70, which may be round or flat, is preferably sized toprovide for clearance with the peripheral rim 28 as to minimize themanual force required to install and remove the device 40. The width ofthe device 40 manufactured from a flat material is preferably about 0.50inches to fit the storage containers 20 presently in use. The presentinvention also contemplates that the overall size of the device 40 willdepend on the size of the storage container.

The devices 40 may be provided in a variety of colors. A unique colormay be further associated with a unique size of the device 40 for easeof visual identification when devices 40 of various sizes are mixed witheach other.

Thus, the present invention has been described in such full, clear,concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art towhich it pertains to make and use the same. It will be understood thatvariations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for componentsof the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

1. A one-piece device for separating a pair of storage containersstacked vertically by fitting one within another each having a narrowlower closed end, a continuous tapered wall extending outwardlytherefrom and terminating in a wide upper open end having a peripheralrim formed thereon, the device comprising in combination: (a) a firststraight leg having a first end and an opposed second end, said firstleg abutting an interior surface of the tapered wall of the storagecontainer when said device is installed for separating the pair ofstorage containers; (b) a second leg having a first end and an opposedsecond end; (c) a heel portion joining said first ends of the first legand said second leg and positioning said second leg at a predetermineddistance from said first leg sufficient to operably receive the rim ofthe storage container; and (d) said device forming a gap between thestorage containers and enabling ease of separating the upper storagecontainer from the lower storage container with minimal force andeffort.
 2. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said device isformed from a resilient material and wherein said second leg includes agenerally V-shaped portion disposed at said second end thereof andformed in a direction toward said first leg for retaining said device onthe rim of the storage container.
 3. The device, according to claim 2,wherein said generally V-shaped portion is positioned below the rim ofthe storage container when said device is installed thereon.
 4. Thedevice, according to claim 2, wherein said generally V-shaped portionprovides grip means for removing said device from the rim of the storagecontainer.
 5. The device, according to claim 2, wherein said device hasa generally U-shaped configuration.
 6. The device, according to claim 1,wherein a material of said device is one of a resilient metal and aresilient plastic.
 7. The device, according to claim 1, wherein saiddevice is formed from one of a flat and round material.
 8. The device,according to claim 1, wherein said device formed from a flat materialhaving each of a predetermined width and a predetermined thickness. 9.The device, according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined thicknessis about 0.13 inches.
 10. The device, according to claim 8, wherein saidpredetermined width is about 0.50 inches
 11. A system for separating aplurality of storage containers stacked by fitting one within anothereach having a narrow lower closed end, a continuous tapered wallextending outwardly therefrom and terminating in a wide upper open endhaving a peripheral rim formed thereon, the system comprising aplurality of devices installed onto the peripheral rim of each storagecontainer and forming a gap between the storage containers sufficient toseparate the storage containers with minimal force and effort.
 12. Thesystem, according to claim 11, wherein each device includes a first leg,a second leg spaced from said first leg, and a hill portion joiningadjacently disposed ends of said first and second leg and sized tooperably receive the portion of the peripheral rim.
 13. The system,according to claim 11, wherein said devices are installed onto theperipheral rim in equally spaced relationship to each other.
 14. Thesystem, according to claim 11, wherein said gap is formed between anexterior surface of the tapered wall of the upper storage container andthe interior surface of the tapered wall of the lower storage container.15. The system, according to claim 11, wherein said gap is formed in avertical direction between the rims of each storage container.
 16. Amethod of storing a plurality of storage containers each having a narrowlower closed end, a continuous tapered wall extending outwardlytherefrom and terminating in a wide upper open end having a peripheralrim formed thereon, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing aplurality of devices having a first leg, a second leg spaced from saidfirst leg, and a hill portion joining said first and second leg at oneend thereof; (b) installing said plurality of devices onto said rim ofsaid each storage container; (c) fitting one storage container withinanother storage container; and (d) forming a stack of said storagecontainers having wall portions thereof separated by said devices,provided in step (a) and installed in step (b).
 17. The method,according to claim 16, wherein said method includes the step of removingsaid one storage container fitted within said another storage container.18. The method, according to claim 16, wherein said method includes thestep removing said plurality of devices from said rim of said storagecontainer and the step of providing each device with a grip means forfacilitating removal of said each device.
 19. The method, according toclaim 16, wherein said installing step includes the step of operablyreceiving a portion of said peripheral rim within said hill portion ofeach device.
 20. The method, according to claim 16, wherein said methodincludes the step of providing said each device in one of a U-shape andJ-shaped configuration.